Construction employment in Louisiana decreased during the
second month of the year.

Figures released by the Associated General
Contractors of America (AGC) based on Labor Department data show that Louisiana
construction employment decreased by 500 jobs, or 0.4 percent from January
2014.

Construction jobs tabulated in February 2014 totaled
about $129,500, down from February 2013's figure of 129,900, and January 2013's 130,000 figure.

Of
the 12-month figures, Louisiana ranked 41 by percentage, but ranked 34th
in the month-over-month change.

AGC says an unusually brutal winter could have affected the progress of construction, and therefore construction employment, in some areas of the country, though "...it seems winter conditions had less of an impact than many had expected,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist.

"Several construction activities are dependent upon weather, so you won't have staff if you don't have a task for them to fill,"Pearlina Thomas, the area manager for the Louisiana chapter of AGC added.

Florida led all states in percentage and total construction
gains over the year, adding 11 percent and 39,000 new jobs between February 2013 and February
2014.